What makes Nigerian Wood by Keziah Jones notable?

'Nigerian Wood' received critical acclaim for its innovative sound and lyrical depth, earning Jones a solid place within the global music community. The album's fresh approach contributed to a resurgence in interest in Afrobeat and world music influences, impacting artists across various genres who began to explore similar fusions. By the time 'Nigerian Wood' was released in 2008, Keziah Jones had already established himself as a distinctive voice in the music scene with his debut album 'Blufunk Is a Fact!' released in 1992. This album marked a return to form for Jones after a hiatus, showcasing his evolution as an artist while blending genres like rhythm and blues with his African roots.

How many songs are on Nigerian Wood?

Nigerian Wood has 12 tracks, running approximately 60 minutes.

Nigerian Wood

Keziah Jones · 2008

60 min · 12 tracks · rhythm and blues

An eclectic fusion of soulful grooves and vibrant rhythms, weaving Nigerian heritage with modern musical textures.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Nigerian Wood — The title track serves as an anthem for cultural identity, combining traditional instrumentation with contemporary rhythms to create a vibrant celebration of Nigerian heritage.
→
Lagos vs New York — This track juxtaposes the bustling energy of Lagos with the sophistication of New York City, reflecting Jones's personal journey between two worlds while maintaining a rhythmic complexity.
→
Beautifulblackbutterfly — With its poetic lyrics and smooth melodies, this track encapsulates themes of love and resilience, showcasing Jones's ability to blend emotional depth with musicality.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases a strong fusion of styles but has some uneven pacing and cohesion.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, reflecting Nigerian musical traditions while maintaining a contemporary feel.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Nigerian Wood 3:59
2 African Android 3:44
3 My Kinda Girl 3:35
4 Long Distance Love 4:42
5 Beautifulblackbutterfly 5:06
6 Pimpin' 6:37
7 Lagos vs New York 4:45
8 1973 (Jokers Reparations) 3:55
9 Unintended Consequences 4:11
10 Blue Is the Mind 3:57
11 In Love Forever 4:24
12 My Brother 11:46

What to play next

Listen next

Captain Rugged

2014

Go back to

Black Orpheus Limited Edition

2004

Full Keziah Jones discography Artists like Keziah Jones

soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata